| The name of the footwear used for playing soccer is | | | | Next in cost comes Pittards leather, which is currently |
| commonly referred to as cleats, or in Europe, boots. | | | | only available from Puma in soccer shoes. This is a |
| However, if you are speaking of indoor soccer, it is | | | | specially treated calfskin leather, which goes through a |
| quite proper to refer to your cleats as shoes, | | | | patented process to gain a water-resistant quality, also |
| especially since they don't actually have the spikes | | | | causing it to dry faster. These boots will maintain their |
| usually associated with cleats. | | | | softness longer than untreated calfskin, and also |
| Indoor soccer shoes should have a non-marking rubber | | | | stretch less, therefore affording the player a truer fit |
| sole, meaning even hard use on a gym floor or other | | | | for a longer period. These boots are not as expensive |
| surface will not leave it worse for the wear. Many | | | | as Kangaroo leather, and do offer many fine qualities |
| players who frequent both grassy and indoor fields | | | | the Kangaroos lack. |
| refer to their indoor shoes as flats, and their traditional | | | | Calfskin leather is the old stand by choice for soccer |
| grass field shoes as cleats. Flat soccer shoes are also | | | | shoe uppers, for good reasons. It is the least |
| appropriate on dry artificial surfaces, even when | | | | expensive of the natural leathers, and yet offers great |
| outdoors. | | | | durability, and much less stretching than the Kangaroo. |
| Before we consider the different types of uppers | | | | You do sacrifice some of the intricate touch on the ball |
| available on soccer shoes, a brief explanation of what | | | | that is so beautiful with the Kangaroo, since the |
| is meant by the term upper will help you in your | | | | calfskin uppers are heavier, however, for a beginning |
| decision process. Quite easily put, the upper is that | | | | to mid-range player these should see the season out |
| section of the shoe which will come in constant | | | | with no complaints. |
| contact with ball. Uppers can be comprised of an | | | | Whatever type of shoe you ultimately choose, good fit |
| assortment of natural leathers and synthetic blends of | | | | is of the prime importance. Go to a sports store, with |
| leathers. | | | | knowledgeable associates to assist you in choosing |
| You can realize the best 'feel' or touch on the ball with | | | | the correct style and size. Having your soccer socks |
| the most expensive leather, which is Kangaroo, | | | | with you for the fitting will prove invaluable. The boots |
| however, along with the high price, there are a couple | | | | need to fit closely in the heel and the toe, and do bear |
| of other downfalls to consider. Soccer shoes made | | | | in mind that good leather shoes will stretch a bit. As a |
| with Kangaroo leather uppers will not last very long, | | | | coach, I always advised my players to wear their new |
| and along with the sacrifice for durability, they will also | | | | boots around the house the week before using them |
| require a treatment, or special coating, to help prevent | | | | in a match. This enables a bit of the breaking in to |
| water retention. That being said, though, virtually | | | | begin, prior to the tough use they will see on the field. |
| anyone who has played in Kangaroo leather will tell | | | | The last shoe every player should own is a good pair |
| you it is the softest, most lightweight boot you will ever | | | | of soccer sandals. These rubber slides often offer a |
| own, and the cost and other sacrifices are well worth | | | | bit of nubbing on the insole, a great cooling comfort to |
| the price for the tremendous touch on the ball. | | | | weary feet. |